The League of California Cities in December bestowed upon a Santa Monica organization one of its most prestigious honors, as the Rosie’s Girls Santa Monica (RGSM) received the 2011 Helen Putnam Award for Excellence.
RGSM, which pays tribute to World War II icon Rosie the Riveter, earned the honor for “engaging its youth in city government” by developing a national curriculum that offered participants the chance to see the inner workings of local government firsthand through mock council meetings, and designating youth liaisons to City Hall’s Commission on the Status of Women.
“Our program takes the original Rosie’s Girls model one step further by transforming participants’ very hometown into a classroom. Learning about a city from the inside out creates an extraordinary opportunity to connect girls with their community… all while having lots of fun,” Santa Monica Human Services Division Manager and RGSM co-Founder Julie Rusk said.
RGSM provides participants and alumni the opportunity to grow as leaders and create a stronger community through increased community service and advocacy.
Even more, the organization’s leaders point out RGSM is designed to build self-esteem, physical confidence and leadership through an exploration of the trades and other non-traditional activities, including carpentry and welding.
Keeping in tune with such “non-traditional activities,” RGSM proactively welcomes as many as 80 middle school girls between 11 and 13 years old to witness a day in the life at the trade shops of the City Yards, complete with hardhats and jumpsuits.
Once at the trade shops, the girls are provided a hands-on experience in learning how to operate saws, drills, welding torches, and other tools.
Those interested in participating in RGSM in 2012 may sign up for one of three course curriculum, including one in Spring (Apr. 9 to 13), and two in Summer (June 25 to July 13 and July 23 to Aug. 10).
Financial aid and payment plans are available to eligible participants.
More information is available at www.rosiesgirls.smgov.net.
